Skoda’s 1-litre TSI petrol engine has received E20 compliance certification from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), positioning Skoda as one of the first car manufacturers in India to achieve this milestone, reports Financial Express.
Skoda has also announced that its 1.5-litre TSI engine is currently being tested and is expected to meet E20 compliance by the fourth quarter of 2024.
The Indian government has set a mandate for all vehicles to comply with E20 standards by April 2025. E20 fuel is a biofuel blend consisting of 20 per cent ethanol and 80 per cent petrol. Ethanol, sourced from renewable resources such as sugarcane, barley, and corn, results in lower tailpipe emissions and higher efficiency compared to conventional fuels.
The E20 ethanol-certified 1-litre turbo petrol engine is available in the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia models, offering both a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic torque converter transmission. With E20 certification, the 1-litre 3-cylinder engine is expected to be more fuel-efficient. This engine, also found in the Volkswagen Virtus and Taigun is set to receive its certification soon. The 1-litre TSI engine produces 114 bhp and 178 Nm of torque.
First introduced in the Kushaq Onyx AT, the E20-compliant engine will be included in the 1-litre TSI Skoda models produced in Chakan, Pune.
Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, commented on the certification, stating: “Along with making cars that lead in driving dynamics and safety, efficiency and sustainability have also been at the centre of our product and production practices. TSI technology has been time-tested and proven for efficiency and emissions while being effectively powered. We have evolved and adapted this technology to various updates in standards and policies across the globe. The 1.0 TSI especially, with its 3-cylinder turbo configuration tuned for power and efficiency, is a versatile powertrain, and the E20 certification is a testament to this. We are confident of a similar outcome when the 1.5 TSI is tested later this year.”
